Global Watch

Angola, Namibia, and South Africa are increasingly treating the ocean as an economic asset rather than simply a natural resource.   Along their coastlines lies the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, one of the most productive marine regions on Earth. Stretching from South Africa to Angola, the current brings cold, nutrient-rich waters that support major fisheries, marine biodiversity, offshore energy development, and growing tourism ...

Angola officially left OPEC, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, in January 2024 after 16 years. The move sent shock waves through global energy markets and raised big questions about whether major oil-producing countries still trust the group’s strict production rules.   The dispute centered on oil production quotas. Angola argued that OPEC's mandatory cuts limited its ability to grow its economy when the country ...

A passenger can check in a clean suitcase at Toronto Pearson, board a flight, and still land in another country with their bag packed with drugs.   That is the nightmare now facing travelers after investigators uncovered at least 17 cases in which innocent passengers were allegedly dragged into a baggage tag-switching scheme. The criminals in charge of the scheme would remove a real passenger’s luggage tag and attach it to a drug-fil...

Tensions are rising between Malaysia and Israel after a Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla was intercepted in international waters. More than 400 activists aboard the Global Sumud mission were detained during the operation, including 29 Malaysians who later claimed they faced harsh treatment while in custody.   The flotilla aimed to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of the Gaza Strip by delivering humanitarian aid. Israeli authorities ...

Bangladesh has launched a bold new artificial intelligence traffic system in Dhaka, a mega-city known for its endless traffic jams and packed roads. The move marks a major shift as AI technology enters public services in one of South Asia’s fastest-growing urban centers.   Dhaka’s roads have become a daily struggle for millions. With more than 22 million people living in the city, traffic congestion has damaged business activit...